THJA News Special Edition 2021

THJA NEWS SPECIAL EDITION 2021

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THJA NEWS • 1

2 •THJA NEWS

CONTENTS A letter from the president

3

Scholarship Awards

7

Annual Award Winners 8 Board of Directors

12

Committees

14

A family of fighters

16

Winner photos

18

A letter from the publisher Dear Members, I will keep this short and sweet because this issue is all about YOU and your tremendous success in 2020!

Here’s to an even better ‘21 show year for all!

Thank you Jerry Mohme Photography for capturing all the best moments of 2020.

Kindly, Suzanne Warmack, Editor & Publisher

Editor & Publisher - Suzanne Warmack Designer - Colton Ashabranner Bon Chomiak, Red Dog Creative Printing - Shweiki Media

THJA NEWS • 3

MARCH 24 - APRIL 11

2021

GREAT SOUTHWEST EQUESTRIAN CENTER K A T Y, T E X A S

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 $30,000 GRAND PRIX and

denim & diamonds ringside gala

g e n e r a l a d m i s s i o n i s a lw a y s f r e e ! class sponsorships $250+ show sponsorships $2,500+ ringside gala ticket $250 ringside gala table $1,000+

FRIDAY, APRIL 2 $50,000 HILDEBRAND FUND GRAND PRIX and

avalon advisors white sapphire ringside gala

FRIDAY, APRIL 9 $30,000 USHJA INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY and

bourbon, bow ties & big hats derby party hosted by modern luxury

SATURDAY, APRIL 10 $100,000 WELLS FARGO GRAND PRIX and

abbot downing diamond jubilee ringside gala the 2021 pin oak painted horses life-size works of art by texas’ top mural artists will be auctioned during the ringside galas

4 •THJA NEWS

2021 MARCH 24 - APRIL 11

OCTOBER 21 - 24

NOVEMBER 10 - 14 MAY 6 - 9

MAY 13 - 16

NOVEMBER 16 - 21

DECEMBER 16 - 19

2022 SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 3

FEBRUARY 2 - 27

THJA NEWS • 5

2

ADU Adult

AM 1.20

CHI Junior

JUN 1.40

EQU HUNT Annak

JUN Annak Brook McKay

6 •THJA NEWS

2020 Scholarship Awards

ADULT/AMATEUR OWNER HUNTER Adult Hunter 18-35 – Highmark – Courtney Baggett $1500 AMATEUR OWNER JUMPER 1.20 Meter – MTM Mrs. Yowza – Alexandra Gonzalez $1500 CHILDREN/JUNIOR HUNTER Junior Hunter – Large 3’3” – In The Moment – Rory Caskey $1500 JUNIOR JUMPER 1.40 Meter – Chacco Lait – Avery Erickson $1500 EQUITATION HUNTER SEAT MEDAL/ASPCA/WIHSO/3’3” JUMPING SEAT MEDAL/NHS 3’3” MEDAL Annakate Long $1500 JUNIOR EQUITATION Annakate Long $1500 Brooke Brombach $1500 McKayla Brombach $1500

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN A WINNING TEAM?

4 69-4 69-4 20 0 | b ran d o n c l i n to n spo rt ho rses.co m THJA NEWS • 7

THJA 2020 ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS Small Pony Hunter Champion, SILVER DRAGON, 5138945 – Victoria Alexandris Reserve, SUNBEAM, 5315807 – Ticket To Ride LLC 3rd, CROWN RIDGE DAY DREAM, 5195143 – Stephanie Paget 4th, COOL’S CANDY APPLE, 5301804 – Sophia Kincheloe 5th, BIGGIE SMALLS, 5638712 – Monarch Stables 6th, SNOOP DOGG, 5452474 – Carlysle Drosos, , Medium Pony Hunter Champion, SMALLWOOD MYSTIC, 5346082 – Ticket To Ride LLC Reserve, ROLLINGWOODS BE THE BEST, 5510681 – Sky Bandini-Gondron 3rd, ASTRO BOY, 5245671 – GC Ponies 4th, WALTZING MATILDA, 5579280 – James Waldman 5th, COOL STORY, 5264802 – Adelaide Shenkir 6th, ROSMEL’S SCREEN SHOT, 5442145 – Reese Romaniello Large Pony Hunter Champion, CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’, 5369054 – Millennium Farm Inc. Reserve, COOLIO 28, 5498475 – Julia Young 3rd, IMAGINE THAT, 5336747 – Amelia Clayton 4th, FOX CREEK’S CAVALIER, 5347860 – Addison Ducote 5th, CALECHE, 5225353 – Lola Head 6th, POPLAR PLACE PIED PIPER, 5046459 – Brinnley Tanner Green Pony Hunter Champion, FINESSE, 5580574 – KC Equestrian Reserve, BIGGIE SMALLS, 5638712 – Monarch Stables 3rd, ROLLINGWOODS BE THE BEST, 5510681 – Sky BandiniGondron 4th, EVANS LIBERTY, 5507256 – Ivy Bonds, , , Children’s Hunter Pony – Large Champion, COOL SPELL, 5391066 – Jennifer WheelerWinborne Reserve, WYNNBROOK APRIL FROST, 5046087 – Ivy Bonds 3rd, INTERSTELLAR, 5655615 – Olivia Brust 4th, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, 5418720 – Kickapoo Ponies, Children’s Hunter Pony – Small and Medium Champion, ROSMEL’S DURANGO, 5361611 – Kickapoo Ponies Reserve, BOOM CHICKA BOOM, 5564094 – Kickapoo Ponies, Junior Hunter – Small - 3’3” Champion, SOHO, 5274916 – Olivia Clayton Reserve, MTM BALI, 5390015 – Ashley Schneider 3rd, CAROT OHF, 5573712 – October Hill Farm Inc. 4th, QUIRRELL, 5286803 – Georgia Leb 5th, BAZZI, 5308572 – Loretta-Jean Devening 6th, VALHALLA, 5448724 – MGU Farms Junior Hunter – Large - 3’3” Champion, IN THE MOMENT, 5302406 – Nourah Caskey Reserve, VULCAN, 5614784 – Mary Ellen Sanders 3rd, EDINBURGH, 5289208 – Reagan Golsby 4th, CASTLE WATCH, 5325064 – Ella Karekar 5th, CABRIOLE, 5337529 – Caroline Daskevich, 6th, SUMMER SONG, 5408029 – Hampton Baker 8 •THJA NEWS

Junior Hunter – Small - 3’6” Champion, BIJOU SSH, 5094298 – Suzette Jolley Reserve, HAYORA T, 5495962 – Olivia Brust 3rd, FENWAY, 5469755 – Lilly Goldstein Junior Hunter – Large - 3’6” Champion, CORAZON R, 5481501 – Angeleah Cleek Reserve, CLAIRVOYANT, 5380143 – Avery Erickson 3rd, MTM POKER FACE, 5399761 – Jillian Glubke 4th, FORLAN H, 5490902 – Papandreou Hunter Jumper 5th, GREETINGS, 5272025 – Haley Hammer 6th, BOARDWALK, 5484015 – Carly Lazzari Children’s Hunter (14 & Under) Champion, GENERATION NEXT, 4975743 – Rio Vista Farm Reserve, COCKTAIL, 5563659 – Stevie Jones 3rd, SUMMER COAST, 5053436 – Jadyn Long 4th, RVF HUDSON, 5419780 – Sloane Wallace 5th, CAVALLI, 5009039 – Rio Vista Farm 6th, CHRISTO, 5406366 – Samantha Brown Children’s Hunter (15 – 17) Champion, GOSSIP GIRL, 5299314 – Emma Moser Reserve, STYLIZED, 5656470 – Laura Cho 3rd, METROPOLITAN Z, 5476892 – Loretta-Jean Devening 4th, DANIELI, 5453241 – Jennifer Antonacci 5th, TOMMY TIME, 5388646 – Abigail Danna 6th, ALPINE’S ON THE ROCKS, 5532156 – Zoe William Performance Hunter – 3’6” Champion, SAUSALITO, 5116950 – Kirby McCool Reserve, MTM POKER FACE, 5399761 – Jillian Glubke 3rd, KING QUIDAM, 5575376 – Hallie Dewar Ferguson 4th, DUPLUKATO, 5382826 – Kenna Moore 5th, CLAIRVOYANT, 5380143 – Avery Erickson 6th, THE DINNER GUEST, 5471765 – Olde Oaks Farm, Inc. Performance Hunter – 3’3” Champion, SUPREME 6, 5324562 – Susan S. Bradley Reserve, TRIDENT, 5491102 – Emily Campbell 3rd, MTM BALI, 5390015 – Ashley Schneider 4th, THE HIGH NOTE, 5408512 – Jennifer Horvath 5th, AFTER DARK, 5309386 – Linda Viens 6th, FLINDERS STREET, 5347471 – Macy Hissim Green Hunter – 3’6” Champion, DSH ABSOLUT, 5415007 – DS Holdings, LLC Reserve, CORAZON R, 5481501 – Angeleah Cleek 3rd, ETIQUETTE, 5488108 – Valerie Kalderon 4th, REBA, 5638779 – Shadyside Farm 5th, MTM LIBERTY, 5570352 – BottomLine Equestrian LLC Green Hunter – 3’3” Champion, VULCAN, 5614784 – Mary Ellen Sanders Reserve, LOGANO, 5205916 – Amy Stanley 3rd, CAPTAIN AMERICA, 5562773 – Lori Mathews 4th, BREYER, 5406579 – Cora McGowan 5th, LOVETT, 5655297 – Shadyside Farm 6th, CR CRESUS ES, 5607453 – Jadyn Long

Green Hunter – 3’0” Champion, STYLIZED, 5656470 – Laura Cho Reserve, SIMPLICITY, 5497113 – Nicole Tuttle 3rd, CASIRA, 5627722 – DS Holdings, LLC 4th, SIDE HUSTLE, 5655612 – La Primera Hacienda, LP 5th, CR MARVEL, 5618345 – Linda Viens 6th, GALIANO, 5646227 – Andrea Adams, , Amateur Owner Hunter – 3’6” (18 - 35) Champion, FILA, 5339391 – Caitlin Burns Amateur Owner Hunter – (36 & Over) Champion, CASALETTA, 5617793 – Linda Law Reserve, REBA, 5638779 – Shadyside Farm 3rd, PRINCE, 5403575 – Shadyside Farm 4th, CARRIDA, 5300179 – DS Holdings, LLC Amateur Owner Hunter – 3’3” (18 - 35) Champion, Querida, 5485729 – Caitlin Burns Amateur Owner Hunter – 3’3” (36 & Over) Champion, WESTLEY, 5506986 – Laura Cho Reserve, SAUSALITO, 5116950 – Kirby McCool 3rd, DEVEENA, 5610735 – Corion LLC 4th, LOVETT, 5655297 – Shadyside Farm 5th, CR HERMES, 5349395 – Christine Arlitt 6th, LF WEST BANK, 5307491 – Stonebridge Farm

3’6”

Adult Amateur Hunter (18 – 35) Champion, HIGHMARK, 5219044 – Courtney Baggett Reserve, VAN MORRISON, 5495007 – Shadyside Farm 3rd, CAYMUS, 5324239 – Brawley Farms, Inc. 4th, SWS PRESLEY, 5292833 – Kimberly Paige Guthrie 5th, FEDOR, 5444501 – Hannah Buskin 6th, RIO’S FIORELLA, 4592711 – Ellen Murphy Adult Amateur Hunter (36 – 49) Champion, LOGANO, 5205916 – Amy Stanley Reserve, TA-DA, 5417544 – Kristin Sturtevant 3rd, GALIANO, 5646227 – Andrea Adams 4th, COBALT BLUE, 5143067 – Laura Cho 5th, MOONLIGHT MILE, 5607845 – Stacey Thompson 6th, SOLLY, 5306955 – Brittany Perez Adult Amateur Hunter (50 & Over) Champion, UP FRONT, 5034560 – Catherine Garrett Reserve, LULLABY, 5379925 – Hallie Dewar Ferguson 3rd, VANTAGE, 5269861 – Hallie Dewar Ferguson 4th, KING QUIDAM, 5575376 – Hallie Dewar Ferguson 5th, ZEUS, 5077894 – Tara Arnold 6th, AFTER DARK, 5309386 – Linda Viens Modified Children’s Hunter - 14/U Champion, TRIDENT, 5491102 – Emily Campbell Reserve, WALLSTREET RUMOR, 5074356 – Anna Mathews Modified Children’s Hunter – 15-17 Champion, Tallulah, 5466364 – Alexandra Killgore, Modified Adult Hunter – 18-35 Champion, INFRARED, 5491745 – Alison Damick

THJA 2020 ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS Modified Adult Hunter – 36/O Champion, AUTUMN SOUND, 5310854 – Suzanne Hickham Reserve, SIMPLICITY, 5497113 – Nicole Tuttle 3rd, NEW CASTLE, 5303931 – Nourah Caskey, 4th, BENTLEY, 5404021 – Denise Doolittle, DVM 5th, SUPREME 6, 5324562 – Susan S. Bradley 6th, SOLLY, 5306955 – Brittany Perez Short Stirrup Hunter Champion, JUMPING JACK, 4987655 – Liston Johnson Reserve, CHARMED, 4928203 – Liston Johnson 3rd, CHARLIE BROWN, 5302539 – Sweet Oak Farm Medium Stirrup Hunter Champion, SMALL WORLD, 5451043 – Lina Monty Long Stirrup Hunter Champion, CR BRAVADO, 5308777 – Janet Boatright Reserve, BRAZOS, 5216789 – Victoria Johnson Opportunity ANNABEL GREFE CORRINE COLTER LAURA CARTER ELLE WUERTZ Hunter Breeding YEARLING Champion, CORDELIA, 5635546 – Barbara Bailey Reserve, TAKE IT EASY, 5636717 – Barbara Bailey 3rd, MAGNETO, 5639181 – Olde Oaks Farm, Inc. 4th, LET HER CARRY ON, 5639447 – Olde Oaks Farm, Inc. 5th, FLAPPER GIRL, 5639449 – Olde Oaks Farm, Inc. 5th, SATCHMO, 5639448 – Olde Oaks Farm, Inc. TWO YEAR OLD Champion, BAHAMA MAMA, 5570338 – Olde Oaks Farm, Inc. Junior Jumper – 1.20 Meter Champion, CHIMAIRA S, 5571054 – Myers Family Investments, LLC Reserve, CHINE VAN’T SCHANSHOF Z, 5418119 – Mikayla Lindner 3rd, TAKE NOTUS, 5209580 – Tobi Miller, 4th, EDIMERO, 5643558 – Olivia Clayton 5th, TOUR EIFFEL DU MESNIL, 5466536 – Cold Spring Farm Investments, LLC 6th, BAILEYS ASK Z, 5460787 – Kirby McCool Junior Jumper – 1.30 Meter Champion, MTM CHECCO, 5618201 – Avery Erickson Reserve, CHACCO LAIT, 5383370 – Avery Erickson 3rd, GREENWICH, 5341466 – Seasea Dance Junior Jumper – 1.40 Meter Champion, CHACCO LAIT, 5383370 – Avery Erickson Reserve, VIDAM DE COURCEL, 5538301 – Emma Scott

Amateur Owner Jumper – 1.20 Meter Champion, MTM MRS. YOWZA, 5537737 – Alexandra Gonzalez Reserve, PINTO BEAN, 5300390 – Patty Roberts 3rd, MTM AXEL, 5360332 – Keyea Webster 4th, QUICKSILVER, 5311976 – Katherine Huffstutler 5th, DIEHARD W, 5407586 – Allison Scribner Amateur Owner Jumper – 1.30 Meter Champion, CARDENTOS J.W.B., 5322439 – Don Meyer Reserve, CAYLEE PCH, 5309103 – Monica Hanks Children’s Jumper – High Champion, ELLIOTT, 5494181 – Rhoby Day Reserve, NO REGRETS VIII, 5388442 – Ally Wenaas 3rd, BAILEYS ASK Z, 5460787 – Kirby McCool 4th, QUOVARIO BUISSON Z, 5398975 – P3 Ventures, LLC 5th, KIDO BLUE VANT ACHTERHOF, 5631050 – Elizabeth Bunt 5th, IDEALE BY MARSTYL, 5364608 – Kylie Clarkson 6th, CASANOVA CF, 5176576 – Jennifer Antonacci Children’s Jumper – Low Champion, LA VIE EN ROSE, 5574467 – Riley Rinn Reserve, WASHINGTON, 5114746 – Emma Flett 3rd, NO REGRETS VIII, 5388442 – Ally Wenass 4th, APIPO, 5361995 – Logan Jacobson 5th, CHOCOLATE 68, 5318079 – Anna Binder 6th, NEXON Z, 5624851 – Penelope Slentz Adult Amateur Jumper – High Champion, SEASONED, 5409716 – Corinne Davies Asakevich Reserve, DAPHNE BLAKE, 5552477 – Julie Roher 3rd, ZEPPELIN, 5499712 – Whitney Miller 4th, CR CHESAPEAKE, 5369934 – Christine Arlitt 5th, LUNAR ECLIPSE FCF, 5041170 – Megan Smith 6th, EMILY Z, 5576492 – Keyea Webster Adult Amateur Jumper – Low Champion, MALITA BE-ST Z, 5615012 – Catherine Berry Reserve, ZODOCTRO, 5272478 – Heidi Hottinger 3rd, CARINIJO, 5201736 – John Hillebrand, M.D. 4th, DAPHNE BLAKE, 5552477 – Julie Roher 5th, FIORENZA, 5392061 – Dena McClure 6th, GRAY VALOR, 5622545 – Maggi Savo Open Jumper Champion, MALIBU, 5486678 – DS Holdings, LLC Reserve, DOLLAR CASH, 5464842 – TKO Partnership 3rd, CHACCO LAIT, 5383370 – Avery Erickson 4th, AVATAR 18, 5503784 – Caitlyn Epperson 5th, MTM CHECCO, 5618201 – Avery Erickson 6th, VIDAM DE COURCEL, 5538301 – Emma Scott Pony Equitation Champion, MCKAYLA BROMBACH Reserve, CARLYSLE DROSOS 3rd, CHARLOTTE COLTER 4th, ADELAIDE SHENKIR 5th, VICTORIA ALEXANDRIS 6th, JULIA YOUNG

Junior Equitation (15 – 17) Champion, BROOKE BROMBACH Reserve, ANNAKATE LONG 3rd, APHRODITE PAPANDREOU 4th, ZOE SCHIEFER 5th, ASHLYN DANNA 6th, LILLY GOLDSTEIN Junior Equitation (14 & Under) Champion, MCKAYLA BROMBACH Reserve, PEYTON RATHBUN 3rd, AVERY DEYOUNG 4th, BROOKE MURRAY Children’s Equitation Champion, OLIVIA PITTENGER Reserve, DAPHNE MELTON 3rd, MADISON WIDMER, 4th, ABIGAIL DANNA 5th, ERIN COPELAND 6th, AMANDA THARP Adult Amateur Equitation Champion, ANGELEAH CLEEK Reserve, TARA ARNOLD 3rd, KRISTIN STURTEVANT 4th, CATHERINE BERRY 5th, MARGARET SNYDER THJA NEWS • 9

Shine

Make your own baby, or buy one of ours

2018 son Shine to Perfection

2018 granddaughter Bahama Mama

2020 daughter Shine a Light

Other young horses available. Please see our website for more information

www.oldeoaksfar m.com Victoria Hunton vicki@oldeoaksfar m.com Thompsons, Texas Also find us on Facebook & Instagram

10 •THJA NEWS

•

A CHAMPION TEAM

•

•

Texas Premier Farms, Ranches, Equestrian Estates

DEITRA ROBERTSON 832.642.6789 Deitra@IKnowRanches.com IKNOWRANCHES.COM •

A FR A M E R I C A N

FA R M+ R A N C H

THJA NEWS • 11

THJA Board of Directors 2021 OFFICERS: President ~ Bob Brawley

2nd Vice President ~ Doug Brombach

1st Vice President ~ Vicki Hunton

Treasurer ~ Ariana Pettigrew

Secretary ~ Angeleah Cleek

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Bob Brawley

Vicki Hunton

Patty Roberts

Suzanne Warmack ~ Immediate Past President

Angeleah Cleek

Colleen Brombach

Ariana Pettigrew

Robert Yaffe

Linda Moore ~ Bowie, TX

A.L. Martin, III (2020)

Mike McCormick ~Flower Mound, TX

Kay Christie ~ Houston, TX

David B. Hendricks ~ Magnolia, TX

Jerry Converse ~ Austin, TX

Janet Christie ~ Austin, TX

Steve Lang ~ San Antonio, TX

Paula Sparks (2014)

William P. Hobby ~ Houston, TX

Gayle O’ Rear ~ San Antonio, TX

Nancy Moody (2013)

Linda Kirk ~ Houston, TX

Col. John W. Russell (2020)

Kathy C. Ragsdale ~ Hunt, TX

Eric L. Straus ~ Charleston, SC

Doug Brombach

DIRECTORS EMERITUS:

2021 is here.

Please be sure that your THJA membership is up to date.

Go online to thja.org and sign up!

12 •THJA NEWS

THJA NEWS • 13

THJA 2021 COMMITTEES RULE BOOK COMMITTEE Jane Thacker ~ Chair Bob Brawley Colleen Brombach Gayle O’Rear, Emeritus Stephen Lang, Emeritus Jerry Converse, Emeritus

PRIZE LIST REVIEW COMMITTEE Vicki Hunton ~ Chair Gayle O’Rear, Emeritus

EXHIBITOR SHOW STANDARDS COMMITTEE Lynn Walsh ~ Chair Colleen Brombach

FINANCE COMMITTEE Vicki Hunton ~ Chair Ariana Pettigrew Angeleah Cleek Doug Brombach

14 •THJA NEWS

SPONSORSHIP & EDUCATION COMMITTEE Patty Roberts ~ Chair Katie Cox Kim Cox Matt Cyphert Kim Brunson Suzanne Warmack

NOMINATING COMMITTEE Katja Kallenberger ~ Chair Stephen Lang ~ Emeritus Suzanne Warmack

BANQUET COMMITTEE Vicki Hunton ~ Chair Colleen Brombach Brooke Brombach

USHJA & USEF COMMITTEE Lynn Walsh ~ Chair Patty Roberts

WEBSITE COMMITTEE Robert Yaffe ~ Chair Lindsey Black

SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE Suzanne Warmack ~ Chair Melissa Osbourne Brittany Hildebrand Brooke Brombach

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Vicki Hunton ~ Chair Ellen Eakin Gustavo DeCillo, DVM Brooke Brombach

AUSTIN R E A L ESTATE STATS M A R K E T S TAT S

January 2021 2935 PANNELL ST.

The greater Austin market has reached new heights in what some refer to as the “Post COVID Boom”. With home prices appreciating by ± 20% in just the last 2-3 months, many are questioning whether this strong appreciation is sustainable. With continued, record low inventory, it appears that Austin pricing is adjusting from a long time undervalued market compared to other markets in the nation.

C L AU DI A S C OT T R E A LT O R ®

512.373.0745 claudia@moreland.com

S E A N KU B IC E K R E A LT O R ®

Residential data compiled from the Austin Multiple Listing Service on February 5, 2021

512.826.1135 sean@moreland.com THJA NEWS • 15

A FAMILY OF FIGHTERS:

How The Tropia Family Stands Strong in the Face of Illness

by MEAGAN DELISLE

Paolo and Stephanie Tropia’s lives once revolved around their family and their love of horses. As the owners of a boutique hunter jumper training and sales facility, Clear Round Show Jumpers, in Magnolia, Texas, the Tropias are no strangers to hard work. But, for the past several years, the Tropias have had to balance the labor of love of their family business with, quite literally, the fight for their lives.

Diagnosed at age 43 Paolo was battling year two of kidney failure when his wife Stephanie was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer. Despite every hardship life has thrown at them, the family has refused to give in and continues to fight each and every day in hopes of finding Paolo a much-needed kidney donation for the chance to regain their once normal, busy and rewarding lives. Phelps Sports sat down the resilient couple to share their story.

THE FOUNDATION OF A FAMILY Horses have been a part of the Tropia family’s foundation since day one when a horse shopping trip in Europe brought Paolo and Stephanie together. Stephanie happened upon Paolo’s place of employment to try a collection of horses for sale. Their connection was immediate, and it became clear that the two shared much more in common than their love of horses.

“I really liked him from the beginning because he is a very quiet, nice, and super friendly guy,” reflected Stephanie.

“I wanted to help him [at the farm], but he wouldn’t let me help. He was very polite. After that, there was a neighborhood party he was invited to and I joined him. We ended up talking until five in the morning, and neither of us even knew what time it was or how long we sat there enjoying each other’s company.”

After Stephanie returned to her new home-base in the United States, the couple nurtured their relationship longdistance for some time. Late-night phone calls and trips back and forth across continents eventually led to a big decision: Paolo packed up his bags to join Stephanie in the U.S. so the two could pursue a life together, and they were married just a year later. But Paolo was earning more than a wife with his 16 •THJA NEWS

new marriage; he was gaining a family. Previously married, Stephanie had a young daughter at the time, Dominique, who welcomed Paolo to the family with open arms.

“Dominique and I were living alone in America when Paolo came, and after we got married, Dominique asked Paolo if he would adopt her because she wanted a father in her life, and she liked him. He said yes and legally adopted her.”

The Tropia family continued to grow with the addition of their now 14-year-old daughter Aurelia and the establishment of their 26-acre farm in Texas, Clear Round Show Jumpers. With a dedicated group of students, a steady influx of sale horses, and consistent results at horse shows, the Tropia family were living a picture-perfect life.

TRADING HORSES FOR HOSPITAL ROOMS It was during a yearly doctor’s appointment that the Tropia family’s world would be turned upside down. A routine test result revealed Paolo’s kidneys were only functioning at 25% capacity.

“As a child, Paolo was exposed to a childhood illness which the doctors believe is what caused his kidney failure,” shared Stephanie. “So, it wasn’t bad lifestyle decisions or anything else as an adult that caused it. And slowly, the kidney started functioning less and less. It was really a shock.

We were told that he would maybe have another two years before he would need to get on dialysis. It was really tough to hear that.”

Paolo was able to hold out to that two-year mark, but in September of 2017, he had to begin the grueling process of dialysis. He started with hemodialysis, which required him to report to the dialysis center three times a week to receive the four-hour a day treatment. Eventually, Paolo was able to transfer to in-home dialysis, and while that improved his quality of life somewhat by reducing his time at the dialysis center, he was now required to perform dialysis every day, and he was extremely uncomfortable. Despite the discomfort, Paolo still reported to the barn each day to ride and help out as much as he could.

But as many people who struggle with kidney issues know, dialysis isn’t a long-term solution, and it can be an imperfect treatment, Stephanie shared. “It isn’t something that you can do forever and stay alive. It will destroy your organs. That is why you wait on a kidney donor —that is your only option.”

Paolo has been on the transplant list for three years now, and a loving member of their barn family stepped up to help the Tropia family by donating her own, but unfortunately, that hope was short-lived when it was discovered her kidneys were not viable for donation, so back to the transplant list they went.

And then, in 2019, the family received another blow: Stephanie was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer.

“I got the whole thing: the chemotherapy and the radiation,” said Stephanie. “After that, I had two operations, and then I had six more months of chemotherapy. Paolo worked through this the whole time, and I worked when I could. I had to help him. Only when I was in the hospital with the operations was I unable to help. Otherwise, while I was on chemo, I just didn’t give up. We are fighters. We just don’t give up.”

Because of the grueling nature of Stephanie’s cancer battle, Paolo temporarily took his name off of the organ transplant list so he could care for his wife and daughter, and uphold their business at the farm. Amazingly, one year later, Stephanie is now cancer-free and back to work, so Paolo has resumed his place on the transplant list.

A COMMUNITY STAPLE Through all of the ups and downs, the Tropia family has worked hard to maintain a sense of normalcy in the barn.

With clients to cater to and sales horses to campaign on top of their regular daily barn chores, they established a balance that works for them. With the Great Southwest Equestrian Center just a short drive away, they are able to maintain a regular show schedule thanks to the year-round shows offered by Southbound Show Management. Patrick Rodes of SSM shared, “I have known and worked with the Tropia

family for over 15 years. They have always been great to work with and always have a nice group of horses. It is a joy to see them at the shows! They are very hard workers and an asset to our industry.”

While community members have never-ending kind words to share about Paolo and Stephanie, it is their tightknit barn family who shared the sweetest sentiments about their relationships with the Tropia family. Take Chris Arlitt.

She has worked with the Tropia family for the past 14 years.

Initially, her relationship with them began as horse-showmom extraordinaire while her daughter rode and showed, but when her daughter transitioned out of the show ring, Stephanie encouraged Chris to take up riding for herself.

When she first learned of Paolo’s diagnosis, she was shocked and felt the urge to better educate herself on his condition, but one thing she quickly understood is that he was not going to let this diagnosis hold him down.

“The thing with Paolo is that he never misses a beat,” Chris shared. “He is such a great person who cares about the people around him so much that he would never consider taking a sick day or anything. He works all the time. For example, we were in Santa Fe for a horse show, and he would literally have to go off in the pickup truck to do his dialysis. Morning, noon, and night, he would disappear for a while and do his dialysis so he could be at the show with all of us.”

Another long-term member of the Clear Round Show Jumpers team is Linda Viens. Even after she and her husband retired and relocated to Montana, Linda was committed to her barn family in Texas, so her horses remain in the Tropia’s care, and she commutes back and forth on a regular basis to train. After over 15 years in their program, Linda has grown to love the Tropia family as her own and waits anxiously for the day that a compatible donor might come along.

“If a kidney was to be donated to Paolo, it would bring tears of joy to everyone at the barn,” Linda commented.

“We have all been hoping and praying that he does not have to wait much longer. We all love the Tropia family. It has been unbelievable how strong and together the family has

stayed through all that has happened to them these past few years. It would be such a gift. They could start thinking about the future and not worrying about each day and wondering what tomorrow will bring.”

GIVE A KIDNEY, SAVE A LIFE Due to the seriousness of his condition and daily treatment, in addition to the worldwide concerns regarding COVID-19, the Tropia family’s life has been placed on somewhat of a hold. “We can’t go out to eat at night, we can’t go to the movies, we can’t go on vacation. Paolo’s mother passed away before the pandemic, and he couldn’t go to her funeral. The quality of life has really changed for the entire family, including my two daughters. I can’t go and visit my grandkids and my daughter in Georgia, and Aurelia doesn’t get to go anywhere, only to a camp next summer, maybe.”

The future for Paolo relies upon fate and a live kidney donation. Live kidney donors do not have to be an exact match to benefit the Tropia family, Stephanie explained. “If somebody is inspired to generously give a kidney in Paolo’s name, whether it is a match for him or not, it would help.

If the kidney is not a match it would go in the kidney bank, and then Paolo’s name would be next on the list for the next available kidney that matches him. Unfortunately, kidney transplants from the deceased only last a few years, and then it starts all over again. But if a live donation was made, it can last from 25 years to a lifetime.”

According to UNOS, there are more than 100,000 people in America who are waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant. On average, the wait for a suitable transplant is around four years. However, the wait time varies on a case by case basis depending on the severity of each individual’s situation. Unfortunately, some patients never receive the kidney that they so critically need. A living donor would undergo an operation to remove and donate one of their two functioning kidneys. The procedure may be done laparoscopically in some cases, while other cases might require an open surgery. Most living donors can

return to many normal daily functions within 2-4 weeks of the procedure, with most donors resuming normal physical activity in just 4-6 weeks post-operation. In most cases, organ donation is covered by the recipient’s health insurance, and there are organizations such as the National Living Donor Assistance Center, which helps recover additional costs for qualified donors that are not covered by insurance.

Stephanie shared her thoughts, “The only option for him to get quality of life is a kidney, or he will slowly die by his other organs failing. It is a big fear. The stress, the huge impact on the family,our daughters, and on the business — it is scary. When is that kidney coming? Is a kidney even coming? It would be like a miracle. It would give us our life back. We wouldn’t have all the fear that is inside of us all the time. Every day you wake up and wonder how much longer he can do this? It is very painful to see your partner suffering. It would be a blessing if he would get that kidney — it would give him back his life.”

Paolo, who remained quiet for the majority of the interview despite a few bits of input here and there, drew a big smile across his face when the question was asked: What would receiving a kidney donation mean to you?

“I can’t describe the feeling, how happy that would make me.”

As a community, equestrians are known for banding together to help one another out in trying times. Here is an opportunity to help a deserving family in our community enjoy many years with their husband, father, and trainer. If you are interested in learning more about kidney donation, we recommend utilizing one of the following resources: • UNOS (https://transplantliving.org) • National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org) If you are interested in connecting with the Tropia family, please email: md@phelpsmediagroup.com This article was originally published on Phelps Sports.

THJA NEWS • 17

18 •THJA NEWS

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